Twenty-three years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, people around the world were shocked when terrorists hijacked four planes, crashing into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

It was the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil in U.S. history. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the terrorist attacks and more than 6,000 others were injured.

Not only on this day but through the years we need to remember those who perished on what is referred to today as 9/11, also Patriot Day. We need to fight back against terrorism.

One of the four people with ties to North Dakota, Ann Nicole Nelson, of Stanley, perished in the attack on the World Trade Center, where she was a bond broker. She is remembered in our area with an auditorium in Minot named in her memory and a building and program in Bottineau Winter Park.

The auditorium in Old Main at Minot State University was rededicated Ann Nicole Nelson Hall in February 2003.

Annie’s House was built in memory of Nelson at Bottineau Winter Park. An adaptive recreation program, it is a year round program with services for veterans and others with physical disabilities.

Three others with North Dakota ties died in the terrorist attacks.

James Douglas Halvorson, of Greenwich, Connecticut, was born and graduated from high school in Devils Lake, and graduated from North Dakota State University, Fargo. He was a managing director for a firm in the World Trade Center.

Robert Rasmussen, of Hinsdale, Illinois, was born in Fargo, grew up in Hunter and graduated from NDSU. He was a financial analyst working in the World Trade Center.

Alfred Marchand, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, was born in Fargo. He was a flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 175 when it was hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center. His remains were returned to his family two years ago, 21 years after 9/11, after being identified, according to news reports.

Many others died when the planes crashed on that day, including first responders, or died later from 9/11-related illnesses.

Services and programs are being held today across the country in memory of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

Locally, observances included a ruck march held by the Minot Family YMCA this past Friday. Today, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Sawyer will hold a Patriot Day memorial service and the International Peace Garden, north of Dunseith, will hold a 9/11 Memorial event at the 9/11 Memorial Site.

It’s a day for everyone to take some time for silence to remember those who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.